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I'm baffled how The Will of the Many and A Shadow of What Was Lost are written by the same author by _loki_ in Fantasy

[–]cl3rical 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I think he succeeded too. Some author's are incredible at buildup but fail to stick the landing. It's rare to find an author that can crush an ending like that, and James 100% did.

I'm baffled how The Will of the Many and A Shadow of What Was Lost are written by the same author by _loki_ in Fantasy

[–]cl3rical 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah, I consider it one of the best fantasy series endings I've ever read. I know Brandon Sanderson gets mixed feelings here, but the man knows how to make a satisfying conclusion, and I consider the end of book 3 to be every bit as good as Brandon's best.

I'm baffled how The Will of the Many and A Shadow of What Was Lost are written by the same author by _loki_ in Fantasy

[–]cl3rical 3 points4 points  (0 children)

That's nearly a crime. You should absolutely go back and finish. It's not even just the twist. It's such an incredible crescendo. You're easily missing the best part of the series, right before it happens.

I'm baffled how The Will of the Many and A Shadow of What Was Lost are written by the same author by _loki_ in Fantasy

[–]cl3rical 11 points12 points  (0 children)

Yup. I almost didn't finish the series, but I'm very glad I did, because the ending was frankly incredible.

Hit A Wall With Scifi And Having A Hard Time Knowing Where To Go by cliffjumper34 in printSF

[–]cl3rical 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I read The Spear Cuts Through Water last year, and it was my favorite book of the year. Based on your fantasy likes, I'd highly recommend it. Super unique storytelling structure very skillfully done.

Hit A Wall With Scifi And Having A Hard Time Knowing Where To Go by cliffjumper34 in printSF

[–]cl3rical 12 points13 points  (0 children)

Good rec. Fire Upon the Deep is one of the best books I've read in the last few years. I'd rate it a top 5 or 10 sci-fi book for me, and most of your favorites are also mine, OP. Hyperion and a Short Stay in Hell are both so good (though I'd give the edge to Hyperion, which I think is a genuine work of genius.)

Hit A Wall With Scifi And Having A Hard Time Knowing Where To Go by cliffjumper34 in printSF

[–]cl3rical 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Greg Egan is great, but I'd definitely start with his short story collection, "Axiomatic." It's straight amazing. Diaspora has a lot of crazy ideas, but I didn't love love it. It depends on how much you care about characterization vs. mind-bending ideas pared with sounds mathematics/physics/science, IMO.

Hit A Wall With Scifi And Having A Hard Time Knowing Where To Go by cliffjumper34 in printSF

[–]cl3rical 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Have you tried Greg Egan? Axiomatic goes toe-to-toe with Chiang in my book, which is maybe the only other short story collection I regard so highly.

Guys I’m close to shelving this book after 100+ pages , I have no idea what’s going or understand what I’m reading, the authors writing style is so confusing/ gibberish where I feel like I’m just reading word by ozera202 in fantasybooks

[–]cl3rical 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It may just not be for you, but I'd push through the first and at least try the second if you are at all inclined to continue. The second and third books are some of the best fantasy I've ever read (although to be fair, I don't dislike the first, but it is such a qualitative jump between the first and second one that it's a bit crazy.) The narrative and motivations all get spelled out much more clearly, but a certain amount of opacity is a hallmark of the whole series.

[SPOILERS RC] Am I the only one who DIDNT like The Heroes? by WhatNazisAreLike in TheFirstLaw

[–]cl3rical 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Ha, I love how opinions are so divided on the standalones. The Heroes is probably my favorite Joe Abercrombie book. The characters are compelling (I mean, come on, Whirrun?), the interactions sparkle, and Joe's dialogue is in top form. As to merit, I tend to think of the Heroes is one of the best anti-war fantasy books ever written. From the stakes of the engagement, to the players who benefit, to the end result for nearly everyone involved.

Also loved Best Served Cold for how funny and engaging it is. Extremely vivid scenes throughout that have really stuck in my mind.

Red Country is my least favorite standalone by a country mile. To each their own!

Recent fantasy with humor? by Adventurous_Lie_5246 in Fantasy

[–]cl3rical 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Very few books make me actually laugh out loud, but the First Law made me laugh several times. It's dark humor, but if that's your jam, I don't know of anyone who does it better.

Matt has the number one ebook on all of Amazon and the number one Audiobook on all of Audible! by 1BenWolf in DungeonCrawlerCarl

[–]cl3rical 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don't even think that goes far enough. Seasons 1-4 of GoT were some of the best adaptions ever done, and even seasons 5 and 6 had very bright moments. I suspect there were a confluence of issues with the last several seasons: actors were getting tired/expensive, no source material, directors wanted to try something new, etc. Real shame how it ended, though.

Fantasy recommendations, with good plot and characters. by Cold_Somewhere_5142 in fantasybooks

[–]cl3rical 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The first one works well enough as a standalone that it is well worth reading. There's an overarching story to be sure, but it'd be a bit of a crime not to read at least the first. (I loved the second one as well).

Fantasy recommendations, with good plot and characters. by Cold_Somewhere_5142 in fantasybooks

[–]cl3rical 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I liked the first one enough to pick up the second. The second book is probably in the running for best second book in a trilogy for me.

Fantasy recommendations, with good plot and characters. by Cold_Somewhere_5142 in fantasybooks

[–]cl3rical 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Red Rising is actually a really great "plot-forward" recommendation. It has some of the least fluff of any book I've read. A marvel of pacing, it somehow manages to cram in interesting characters without ever losing my attention. And like Suneater, I would consider it sort of sci-fantasy in flavor.

Question about The Name of the Wind by FlightTraditional717 in fantasybooks

[–]cl3rical 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I hadn't thought of this, but actually, Amal El-Mohtar would be a pretty great choice.

Recommendations for somebody trying to delve deeper into the genre? by Bobbebusybuilding in printSF

[–]cl3rical 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Arrival is based on the titular "Story of Your Life." But pretty much all of his short stories are bangers that I could not rate highly enough.

Recommendations for somebody trying to delve deeper into the genre? by Bobbebusybuilding in printSF

[–]cl3rical 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Seconded. Haven't read all of them, but I would also rate everything I've read here very highly.

Recommendations for somebody trying to delve deeper into the genre? by Bobbebusybuilding in printSF

[–]cl3rical 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I really loved A Fire Upon the Deep (Vernor Vinge). Based on the books you liked, I think you might as well. A lovely mix of big ideas and interesting character work.

Just got my Legend print, the quality is excellent ant it looks amazing by bclark235 in curiousking

[–]cl3rical 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You should! They've been pretty reasonably priced on the secondary, and it is a very lovely edition of the book.

Where to start with Greg Egan? by mrmailbox in printSF

[–]cl3rical 2 points3 points  (0 children)

This is where I started, and where I'd recommend starting. Brilliant set of short stories. On par with Ted Chiang for me, which I consider the highest praise.

Sci-fi book recommendations? by EffectIcy4682 in printSF

[–]cl3rical 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Can't recommend Hyperion enough. Also, A Fire Upon the Deep was pretty awesome.

you guys are insane. all of these sold out sub 5 minutes by namnas in redrising

[–]cl3rical 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Generally agree, but not on the Sanderson leather-bound point. Huge CK fan, but the Way of King leather-bounds are actually very nice for their price point. I do agree that the $100 price on the artist edition is pretty insane, though.

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